City Prepared For Husker FansPre-paid parking and Big Red Express are great options for football fans.

Lincoln Mayor Coleen J. Seng today welcomed visitors to the Capital City for the upcoming Husker football games at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Its a great time of the year to be in Lincoln, and we dont want anyone to miss out on the fun of Husker football, said Mayor Seng. The Antelope Valley Project is progressing, and visitors will see big changes occurring near the State Fairgrounds and UNL. Motorists should have no trouble reaching their destinations, but its always best to plan ahead.

The Mayor offered traffic and parking reminders to help visitors reach their destinations safely and on time.

Because the Interstate 80 exits can be very congested on UNL game days, out-of-town visitors also are encouraged to use Highway 2, Highway 6, Highway 34, West O and the West Bypass as alternate routes. Those who use Interstate 80 and plan to park in the lots at Haymarket Park should use the airport exit (exit 399). Those parking in downtown should use the 9th Street/downtown exit (exit 401). Downtown parking meters are enforced from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturdays.

The City offers pre-paid, reserved event parking at its nine garages through the City Web site, lincoln.ne.gov, and through parkitdowntown.org. Garage locations and football parking fees are:

It is recommended that fans use the City Web site to reserve and pre-pay parking. However, parking still is available at all City garages for $10, $8 and $5 on a first-come, first-served basis. Maps and other parking information are available at lincoln.ne.gov and by calling the parking office at 402-441-6472.

Parking also is available in the University facility at 17th and R streets for $10. Public parking on the UNL campus is available at 16th and Court streets, just south of the Devaney Sports Center for $10.

A number of private lots also are available. Rates vary, and some offer season passes.

In addition to its regular routes, StarTran will provide its Big Red Express service on game days starting two hours before kickoff from seven locations:

Westfield - Gateway, 6100 O Street. Buses load in the area north of Penneys, south of Circuit City.

Home Depot, 27th and Cornhusker, northwest corner of lot

SouthPointe Pavilions, 27th and Pine Lake Road, west side of Von Maur

Holmes Lake, 70th and Normal, north side

Southeast Community College, 8800 O Street, south side

State Department of Roads, 14th and Burnham, north side

Slumberland, 5240 North 27th Street (27th and Superior)

After the game, buses will leave from the east side of the stadium. The cost is $4 each way for adults and $1 each way for children age 12 and under, and passengers will need exact change. Big Red Express season ticket packets, good for round-trip travel for all seven home games, are available for $40, a savings of $16. They are available at StarTran, 710 J Street; Nebraska Bookstore, 1300 Q Street; Big Red Shop, Westfield-Gateway, 6100 O Street; and SouthPointe Pavilions office, just east of the south entrance to Barnes & Noble.

OTHER GAME DAY INFORMATION

STREET CLOSURES AND CHANGES
Stadium Drive west of the stadium will be closed to all vehicular traffic. Passenger drop-off and pick-up will not be allowed in front of the stadium before or after the game. Fans can be dropped off and picked up at 10th and Charleston streets and 12th and R streets.

Southbound traffic on 14th Street will be closed from W to Vine streets.

Only StarTran buses and those using UNL Lot 12 or handicapped parking will be allowed west of 16th Street on Vine.

Charter buses will park on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.

The following traffic patterns are in effect after the football games:

10th Street is one-way northbound from Military Avenue to Sun Valley Boulevard.

14th Street is one-way northbound from Avery to Cornhusker Highway.

8th Street is one-way southbound from S to J streets.

Motorists are reminded that the Antelope Valley Project has resulted in changes to 16th and 17th streets near campus. 17th Street north of Vine now crosses the new Antelope Creek bridge between X Street (near Nebraska Hall) and Y Street. Traffic is two-way on 17th from X Street north to Holdrege and on 16th from X to W streets. Vine Street has been re-built from 17th to 27th streets. Four lanes of traffic are now open with turning lanes at intersections and a new bridge at about 19th Street.

PARKING
Handicapped parking is available at:

Mabel Lee Hall (vans only) - $10

17th and R - $10

19th and R - $10, with shuttle service to stadium

Wheelchair accessible parking is available at UNL Lot 8, Stadium Drive and Holdrege, for $10 per vehicle.

Vehicles blocking drives, parked too close to the intersection, parked on public right of way or interfering with vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be towed.

The taxi stand has been moved, and will now be at 14th and Vine streets.

REMINDERS
Alcohol is prohibited on City streets, parking lots, garages and sidewalks including the trail between Haymarket Park and 8th Street.

The sale of tickets, souvenirs or other items is not allowed on City streets or sidewalks. Officers will issue citations for violations that inhibit the use of the street or sidewalk.

Lock your vehicle and put valuable items out of sight to prevent theft.